Equatorial Guinea is officially referred to as the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. This country is located in Middle Africa and comprises of two parts, the continental region otherwise known as Rio Muni and the insular region.

Equatorial Guinea is officially referred to as the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. This country is located in Middle Africa and comprises of two parts, the continental region otherwise known as Rio Muni and the insular region. The Rio Muni consists of offshore islands like Corisco, Elobey Choci and Elobey Grande while the other region has Annobon Island and Bioko Island. The capital is known as Malabo and it's located in Bioko Island.

5 Facts You Might Not Know:

1) The population of Equatorial Guinea is about 668,225 according to a July 2011 census. The annual population growth rate is 2,641%. There are several ethnic groups but the majority is the Fang group. This group dominates the business and political life success in the country. Other enthnic groups are Bubi with 50,000 people; Annobonese 3000, Ndowe and Kombe are about 300 each and Bujebas 2000.

2) The GDP of Equatorial Guinea was estimated to be $24,66 billion with the growth rate estimated at 0,9% in 2010. The inflation rate was estimated at about 8,2% in 2010. The country has several resources which are petroleum, natural gas, gold deposits that are unexploited, uranium, manganese and timber as well. Agriculture forms a strong part of the economy as well with coffee, rice, bananas among others.

3) The Republic of Guinea is located particularly in west central Africa. The island of Bioko is 25 miles from Cameroon, Annobon Island 370 miles from southwest Bioko Island. The larger continental region of Rio Minu covers 26,003 square kilometers. The other region continental Island of Annobon was discovered on the new year's day of 1472. It measures only 18 square kilometers.

4) The first people who are believed to be inhabitants of the now Republic of Equatorial Guinea are the Pygmies. The island of Bioko was discovered by a Portuguese explorer named Fernando Po in 1471. He initially names it Formosa which means pretty flower. The Portuguese remained in control until 1778 but by 1827 the British had established a base on the island.

5) The government has significantly reduced its role in the economy and started promoting the development of the private sector. The US is that largest foreign investor at over $12 billion.
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More facts and history:

Geography

Equatorial Guinea, formerly Spanish Guinea, consists of Río Muni (10,045 sq mi; 26,117 sq km), on the western coast of Africa, and several islands in the Gulf of Guinea, the largest of which is Bioko (formerly Fernando Po) (785 sq mi; 2,033 sq km). The other islands are Annobón, Corisco, Elobey Grande, and Elobey Chico. The total area is twice that of Connecticut.

Government

Dictatorship.

History

The mainland was originally inhabited by Pygmies. The Fang and Bubi migrated there in the 17th century and to the main island of Fernando Po (now called Bioko) in the 19th century. In the 18th century, the Portuguese ceded land to the Spanish that included Equatorial Guinea. From 1827 to 1844, Britain administered Fernando Po, but it was then reclaimed by Spain. Río Muni, the mainland, was not occupied by the Spanish until 1926. Spanish Guinea, as it was then called, gained independence from Spain on Oct. 12, 1968. It is Africa's only Spanish-speaking country.
http://www.infoplease.com/country/equatorial-guinea.html#ixzz2l8YovvFh

When traveling through the small country of Equatorial Guinea, you will find a cuisine that is generally African, with hints of Spanish character. The diet is based mostly on crops such as cassava, rice and potatoes, but people also hunt and fish. Many of the meat dishes you will find are made from goat, rodents, monkeys or snakes. Chicken and duck are usually served at special occasions. Despite the connection to Spain and Africa, the people of Equatorial Guinea claim their cuisine to be unique. One of the more distinctive dishes you may encounter is lomandoha, made from malanga (cocoyam) leaves, fish and homemade chocolate.

Groundnuts are common ingredients used in Equatoguinean cooking, particularly in sauces, such as the traditional tomato-peanut butter sauce that often accompanies fish. Papayas, pineapples, bananas and plantains are also used to flavor meals or served as a complement to the main course. Customary drinks are palm wine and malamba, an alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane.—Alexandra Menglide
http://foodspring.com/content/equatorial-guinea/

Specialities:

• Chicken served in a peanut butter or cream sauce with rice or boiled plantain.